Vacuum packaging machine



4 Sept; 30, 1947.

s. H. BERCH VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1942 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 NAN, mw PNN .mwN

.Sept 30,1194?. s. H. BERCH I VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE 12 sheets-sheet 2 Filed July 9, 1942 Sept. 30, 1947.

s. H. BERCH 2,428,192

VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE y FiledJuly 9, 1942 12 sheets-sheet s A iris.

sept. so, 1947. s. Hf ERCH 2,428,192

VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 9. 1942 12 sheets-sneet'4 wi l @g PO z N 9 Q M M uo Q( Q pg "sept, 3o, 1947-.

l s. H. BE'RcH 2,428,192j

VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 9. 1942 12 sheets-'sheet 5 Sept. 30, 1947. s. H. BERCH l 2,428,192'

VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE Fiied July 9. 1 942 12 sheets-sheet s /NVE/V 701 5mm/E1. H. B15/ECH.

` sept. 30, 1947.

s.- H.y BERCH 2,428,192

VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1942l 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 i u' mg/,

sePt- 30, 1947. s. H. BERCH 2,428,192

VACUUM PACKAGING `MMPI'IINE Filed July 9 1942 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Sept. 30, 194'?. s. H; BERCH 2,428,192

VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE' Filed July 9, 1942 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 MH W j H HHU l c @n duu mjmull u .N JIIL w o -IHMM.

K Una Sept, 30, 1947.` s'. H. BRCH 2,428,192y

VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1942'y 12 sheets-sheet 11 ll 7 JJ Sept. 30, 1947.A s. H. BERCH VACUUM PACKAGING MAcHiNE -Filed July 9, l1942 12 Sheets-SheetlZ Patented Sept. 30, 1947 VACUUM PACKAGING ltlACHINE Y Samuel Il. Blei-ch, Beverly Hills, Calif., assignor` to The Flexible Vacuum Container Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application .iuiy 9, 1942, serial No. 450,297

This invention relates to mechanism for forming, filling and vacuum sealing packages, and particularly pertains to a vacuum packaging machine, this application being a continuation in part of application Serial No. 279,150, entitled Vremoved and fed to bag forming means, then filled and seamed under conditions of vacuum.

.The container performs many functions and provides benefits in the packaging of foods and the like which are not found or obtained when using tin or glass containers. It is desirable to provide a machine within which the container blanks may be placed, rapidly withdrawn and formed to receive a product, thereafter vacuum sealed within the container, and it is the Yprincipal object of the present invention to provide a vacuum packaging machine which is compact in construction and design, will occupy a relatively small amount of floor space, and will act in an automatic manner to form, ll and seal exible containers within Which a product is packaged and held under a condition of vacuum.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a machine having a unitary frame structure carrying synchronous driving means, whereby an endless conveyor may travel from a magazine station to a filling station, and then through a vacuum sealing station, during which time a container is removed from the magazine, folded to give it its definite form, and thereafter filled and sealed, all of said operation taking place automatically and rapidly so that the packaging of food may be carried out economically and with a minimum amount of labor. v l

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing the completely assembled machine with the.' upper portion of the bag forming machine broken away.

Fig. 1ct is a fragmentary view in side elevation Packaging means, and led byA me June 13,

`4 Claims. (Cl. 93-6) i a showing the upper portion of the bag forming unit which was broken away in Fig.v 1.1

Fig. 2 isa viewin side elevation showing the opposite side ofthefentir'e machine from that disclosed in Fig. 1. Y, u

Fig. 3 is a View in horizontal section through the assembled machine yas seenvon the line l3`3 of Fig. 1 and discloses the conveyor mechanism and the drive for the various unitsof the machine.

Fig. 4 is a view in plan showing the completely assembled machine. n y

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section through the machine as seenon the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. j

Fig. 6 is a View in end elevation showing the discharge end of the machine; .I

Fig. '7 is a view in transverse section showing the bag spreading mechanisml as seen on'the line l-l of Fig. Vl and with the spreadcrs retracted. Y;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig; 7 showing'the spreading ngers in a spreading position Within the mouth of the bag. j

Fig. 9 is a view in plan showing mechanism for the mouth ofthe bag.' n

Fig. 10 is a viewin transverse" section on the the( folding jiinem-lo of Fig. ashcwingthe trip mechanism for the mouth of the bag. v y I Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the special formation of theends of the spreading lingerswhich riti into' the mouth `of the bag. 1i j Y Fig. 12 is an enlarged'view in`end elevation showing. thel vacuumi'zing .and Allie'atv Jsealing mechanism.V`v j Fig. 13 isa view in vertical section'through the vvacuumizing and heat sealing mechanism asls'een on'the line 13--13 of FiggvltZ andsh'ows the heat sealing element as being inits retractedV position. Fig. 14 is a View similar to that shown in Fig; -13

.with the heat sealing element in itsr contacting position. n i. .l n Fig. 15 is a view in. vertical section as seenon the line I-IE of Fig. l12 and discloses a suction control valve in its low suction position.

Fig. 16 is a view in vertical section and elevation as seen on the line lli-I6 of` Fig. 12 and shows the high suction valve in.v its openposition. Fig. 17 is a View' in vertical section and eleva.-

vtion as seen on the line Il-l'l of Fig`..12

shows the release valvein-'itsopenposition.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary-'view ingelevatiomas seen -on the line I8-"|8lof Figilanddiscloses the .filling hoppers in'their retracted positions. Fig. 1.9 is a view similar to'Fig. 1"8 `showing the filling hoppers with their spouts lowered to 'enter theV mouth of Vthe .container for; viilling the Fig. 20 is a fragmentary View in plan showing the arrangement of the bag openers and the magazines.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation showing the bag opening mechanism in its retracted position.

Fig. 22 isi avieWv Similar to Fig. 2l showing the bag opening mechanism in its projected position.

Fig. 23 is a view in perspective showing the folded container blank.

Fig. 24 is a view in perspective showing the formed bag prior to filling.

Fig. 25 is a View in perspective showing the final filled and sealed package. Y

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary view as seen on the line 26--26 of Fig. 28 and shows a portion of the operating mechanism of the bag expanding elements. n

Fig. 27 is a view in horizontal section on the line 2'1-.-2`l of Fig. 6 and shows theV parts of a bag expanding element. Y

Fig. 28 is a view in horizontal section on the line '2li-23v of Fig. 1 and shows part of the operating mechanism vfor the b ag expanding units. i

t u Fig. '29`isja fragmentary view inlside elevation showing lthe 4elements f orwithdrawing a bag from thebag magazine as indicatedin Figs. 21 and 22 of the leaf 24 to facilitate in handling the bag and opening the mouth 26 during the forming operation. .The bag when formed at the station A will appear as generally shown in Fig. 24 of the drawing, and when in its nal filled and sealed condition will appear as indicated in Fig. 25 of the drawing. The details of thesey kstructures will be hereinafter explained. f d

The flat folded bag blanks 23 are positioned within a magazine structure, generally indicated Vat 21 and as being a part of the magazine and forming station A. It is to be understood that the and which in this figure Show the bag in a partially withdrawn position. Fig. 30 is an enlarged viewin horizontal section Vshowing'tlie-ba'ig spreading device as seen Qnthe line Sli-e30 of Fig. V8.

Fig. 3l is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of the lifting 'device for the seam- 'inghead Referring'more particularly A4to the drawings, `[0f-and "il indicate -base plates; These plates are spacedvertically'andare disposed parallel to each other. They are secured together by'cross .beams .12 vand I3. Rotatably supported by the baseplates are Vhorizontal conveyor shafts 154 Aand l5. 'These shafts are disposed in paded parallel relation to cach other and 'lie in the saine horizontal plane. Mounted uponthe shaftflli is a pair of conveyor sprockets i6 and l'l. Mountedl upon the shaft l5 1a pair 'of conveyor sprockets [8 and 1,9. A conveyor chain 2 0 isfl'edaroundsprockets i5 and 18, anda conveyor chain2l is led around sprockets `lll and HL. These Chains Carry Vmold units I.22. fljhernold units -are yshown indetail in Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings and will be described more specifically hereinafter.V I t should be 'pointed out, hpwerecthat each. mold unt's provided with l pockets to receive `a .plurality of flexible bag-like containers which are tope 'alledem-'sealed in the machine with Whighithisgirivnton is concerned. The Ysfprdcket vchains 20 and jiji are driven simultaneously and intermittently and successively move beneath a bag magazine station A, a filling station l2,v a spreading station C, and a vacuum 'sealing statfm D.

Bag magazine-and ,forming mechanism Thecontainerwith which the present invention isjconcerned is a flexible bag-like container made by rfolding a'sheet :of laminated material upon A"itself, andfthen-sealingf'the `meeting faces of the foldedle'aves alongI their oppositemarginal edges. Suchacontainer isgshown'inFig. 23 of the'drawvings.. y Here it willjbe fseefnthat 'the folded leaves Yare "of f slightly fdifferent ltlgth.. the bag being generally indicated; at zjslo mathe upper leaf 24 vivill 'be Shorter than fthe 'lower'leaffl `thus pro.- n

viding an extension of the leaf 25 beyond the end present machine has been designed to act simultaneously upon ve blanks or packages as the Voperation of the machine progresses. In certain instances it may be found desirable to prolong a vacuumizing operation to slowly draw the air from a group` of packages, in which instance alternate 'groups of packages may be vacuum treated while other groups are being formed and filled.

The bag magazine and forming structures are shown particularly in Figs. 1,` 2, 20, 21 and 22 of the drawings. Here it will be seen that the magazine 2.1 provides aV plurality of hoppers 28 which are separated from each other by vertical plates V29. Disposed between the vertical plates and inclined downwardly and toward the discharge end of the machine are floor sections 3l). Upon these floor sections a plurality of the flat folded bag blanks 23Y are stacked in parallel vertical alignment and with theirmouths 26 presented upwardly. Mounted in each of the hoppers 28 Yis a follower plate 3 I' which moves against the back Vface of the group -of bag blanks and forces them'downwardly and forwardly toward the discharge ends of the hoppers. Disposed in the rear of each follower plate 'is a weight 32 having a handle 33, the weight adding pressure to the follower plate to successively move the outermost blank to the discharge opening as a preceding blank is withdrawn 'from the magazine.

The complete magazine structure is held together by a back plate 34 and a front plate 35. These receive shafts 36. Themagazine is sup- :ported by `standards'fl' and 38 disposed at the opposite en'ds'of the magazine and mounted in seats 39 secured to the'ba'se plates Il) and H by bolts will. Extending through thev plates 29 and beneath the floor 13G of the hoppers are rods 4l which are fastened to cross arms 42 carried by the standards 31 Yand 3S. 'These standards extend a considerable distance abovefthe magazine '21 and carry azsuperstructure from which the bag forming'mechanism is suspended. Cooperating with the :standards 31 and'38 are cross frame .members 45. Guide standardsl and'll are'provided intermediate the two sets of supporting standards and .carry a cross-head 448 which slides vertically on the `standards 116 and 41. This `cross-head provides `a support for a series of Abag forming elements 48, one of which .is complementary to a bag hopper VZ8. The cross-head 48; as shown in Fig; 6 of the drawings, comprises a cross-bar 5!) on which the bag spreading .elements 49 are disposed in spaced'relationto each other. The memvbert) istted with bearing :blocks 5l at its opposite ends, which blocks are formed with an outwardly projecting boss `52 and attaching members `Y54 and Eli.v Mounted non vthe bearing blocks 5I is a shaft v53. 4Sprocket .chains El; and 5l are secured to the attaching members 54 and 55, respectively, andare led .around sprocket wheels v53 and '5,9. The sprocket ,wheels 58 and 53 are mounted upon `a shaft `BD which extends through bearings 6I and 62 carried on the cross frame members 45. A tie rod 63 extends from one cross frame member 45 to the other This carries a .central standard 64 through which the shaft 60 also extends. Coiled around the shaft 60 at opposite sides of the standard 64 are coil springs 65 and 66. These springs are secured to the standard by one of their ends and are secured to the shaft adjacent to their-opposite ends. Thus, the weight of the cross-bar 50 and the spreading units 49 is counterbalanced 'by these springs, which will coil and recoil as the cross-head reciprocates vertically.

The cross-head is provided with bearings 61 through which a shaft 68 extends and is mounted for horizontal reciprocation. This shaft carries a plurality of blocks 69 which are each formed with an upwardly opening slot 19. These slots receive pins 1|, each of which is mounted on the free end of a leverl arm 12, which forms part of bell cranks 13. The other arm 14 of each of the bell cranks is fitted with a slotted end to receive a pin 15. The pins 15, engaging each of the bell cranks, are mounted on spreading bars 16. These spreading members extend downwardly into the bag forming units through guides 11 which are carried by the cross-head 48 and will act to shift the members 16 in expanding and contracting the bag forming elements 49. These elements are shown in Fig. 27 as having opposite side walls 18 and 19 with hinges 80 along their vertical edges.

`These hinges connect with wall sections 8| and 82 which are secured together by an intermediate hinge 83. The width of the walls 18 and 19 represents the width of a package to be formed. The combined width of plates 8| and 82 represents the thickness of the package to be formed. Carried at the lower end of the plates 18 and 19 are end walls 84 and 85 which are hinged to the side walls 18 and 19 by hinges 86 and are hinged together by an intermediathinge 81. The bars 16 bring the end walls 84 and 85 into horizontal alignment and thus spread the form to a shape which denes the inner contour of the bag, as shown in Fig. 24 of the drawings. This operation is produced when the shaft 68 is shifted longitudinally through the bearings 61. A lock cam 88 is carried on the shaft and is engaged by a lock roller 89 which is yieldably held on the cam and will temporarily hold the rod 68 in either of its extreme positions.

The end of the shaft 68 is formed with a groove 90 within which aishifting lever 9| is mounted. This lever mechanism is shown in Fig. 28 of the drawings, where it will be seen that it is carried on an arm 92 of the cross-head structure 48 and is mounted on a pivot pin 93. The opposite free end of the lever carries a roller 94 which engages an upper cam block 95 mounted upon the standard 31 and disposed near the upper end of the vertical movement of the cross-head 48. In the lowermost position of the cross-head the roller of lever 9| engages a cam block 96 carried on the standard 31 which acts upon the lever to A shift the rod 68.

Pivotally mounted upon the cross frame structure 45 is a vacuum cup arm 91 which is carried upon a pivot pin 98 within a bearing 99. The arm extends downwardly and is fitted at its lower end with an air manifold |00 connected with aV suction pipe |0|. The manifold carries a plurality of vacuum cups |02 which communicate with the manifold through tubes |03 and |04. These vacuum cups are arranged in pairs in vertical alignment and engage the front face of the Voutermost container blank 23 in the hoppers of lmounted mold carrying units 22 `trough-like members |38 which are arranged the'magaziner 21. The arm 91 is fitted with a spring |05 which tends to draw the free end of the arm away from the magazine 21. An eccentric cam. |06 is provided to bear .against a roller |01 on the arm 91 and to force it inwardly. The eccentric cam |06 is mounted on a shaft |08 carried in bearings |09. The bearings |09 are mounted on the uprights 43 and 44. A sprocket ||0 is carried upon the shaft and is driven by a sprocket chain Il through means to be hereinafter described.

Mounted upon the cross-head structure 48 and in bearings ||2 is cross-shaft 53. This shaft is tted at its opposite ends with gears 4 which mesh with a gear rack ||5 cut in the face of the two uprights 46 and 41. This causes the crosshead with the forming units carried thereby to move vertically while maintained in exact horizontal alignment. When the forming units 49 do move vertically they pass downwardly and across theopen end of the hoppers of the magazine 21 and strip the outermost bag from the stack of bags within the magazine. The upper edge of the magazine is formed with a lip IIB (Fig. 29). Due to the fact that the bag blank has a side 25 which is longer than the side 24, there will be a tendency for the suction cups to pull the side 24 outwardly While the upper edge of the side 25 is temporarily held by the lip ||6. In order to hold the mouth of the bag open when this operation takes place spreading fingers 8 'are provided to swing into the open mouth of the bag and temporarily hold it open so that when the forming unit 49 is lowered it will easily enter the mouth of the bag. These spreading fingers are mounted upon operating shafts 36 which are rotatably supported upon the magazine structure and are fitted at their opposite ends with a gear |20. The gear |20 is in mesh with a cross-rack 2|, the end of Which is secured to a lever |22. This lever is mounted upon a pivot shaft |23 supported by fittings |24 upon the uprights 31 and 38. The lever |22 is formed integral with a lever |25 which extends downwardly and carries a cam roller |26 at its free end. This roller bears against the circumference of a disc cam |21. The disc |21 is mounted upon a horizontally extending cam shaft |28, which will be described in detail hereinafter.

Disposed upon the front plate 35 of the magazine is a series of pairs of forming plates |30. These plates flare downwardly and inwardly and have lower parallel portions 3| between which the package is formed, and its vertical edge seams |32 are folded over as shown in Fig. 24 of the drawings. sets of rollers |33 carried upon swinging arms |34, and which arms yieldably bear against the seam portions |32. The opposite ends of the arms are mounted upon pivot pins |35 carried upon'a cross-bar |36. This bar is mounted at its opposite ends upon sleeves |31 carried upon the uprights 46 and 41.

Conveyor system As has been previously described, this machine is provided with a conveyor system which includes sprockets |6 and |1 at the entry end of the machine, and sprockets I8 and I9 at the opposite end of the machine. These sprockets carry sprocket chains 20 and 2| upon which are including parallel to each other and stand transversely of the path of travel ofthe chains, so that they VCooperating with the plates |30 are will pass beneath the mechanism at the Various operating stations of the machine. Each of the trough memlbers |38` is provided with a plu,- rality of molds |39. These molds have upper open ends lying substantially flush with the bottom of the trough carrying it and extends downwardly to form a compartment having the configuration of the package to be formed in the machine. The position of the molds along the trough cause these molds to register with the series of spreading units 49 which have been previously described, and which units carry the formed empty containers 23 `downwardly into the molds so that they can be filled.

The troughs are provided with a pair of folding fingers |49 and 4|. These fingers are mounted upon pivot pins |42 and |43, respectively, and may swing vertically to positions across the mouth of the molds to hold the mouth of the bag in a folded position preparatory to heat sealing, as will be hereinafter described. The fingers |40 are p-rovided withv a pressure plate |44 upon which the seam portion of the mouth of the bag rests during the heat sealing operation. Normally, the fingers |49 and |4| areY swung upwardly in parallel vertical positions, as shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings. When in this position the opened end of the container 23, such as shown in Fig.V 24 of the drawings, and the container will thus be ready for filling when it registers with thel iilling station, indicated in Fig. 1 at B.

Filling mechanism Referring particularly. to Figs. 18 and 19, it will be seen that a storage bin |45 is provided having a plurality of outlets |46. These outlets extend` vertically from the bottom oi the bin and have slidably mounted upon them tubular spouts |41. The storage bin |45 is mounted on the uprights 43 and 44, by brackets |48 and |49. The spouts |41 are supported by linksY |59 carried at the free ends of lever arms |5|. These lever arms are mounted on pivotpins |52 carried by brackets |53. A lever arm |54 is integralwith the lever arm and is fastened to an operating rod |55. The operating rod |55 extends downwardly and is pivotallyconnected to a lever |56V carried upon a pivot pin |51 onl the bed plate structure of the machine. A lever |58 is formed integral withthe lever |56 and carries a roller |59 which bears against a cam |60'. Through this mechanism the tubular. spouts |41 are vertically reciprocated. As shown in Figs. 18 and 19 of the drawings, the spouts are rectangular in cross-section and have their front and back walls cutaway to form two downwardly extending iingers |6| and |62. These fingers tend to direct the material from the bin into the forrned bags 23 which are supported within the molds 39 carried by the travelling conveyor chains 29 and 2|.

Bag spreading means It has been explained in my Patent No. 2,277,- 288, issued March 24, 1942, that after a bag 23 has been lled it is desirable to stretch the mouth of the bag by pressure at opposite. sides of the mouth to draw the marginal edges of the bag ltogether to form arlongitudinal slot, and to give a preliminary shape to the mouth of the bag prior to folding and heat sealing. A structure for performing this particular function is shown at station C in Fig.` 1, and the details oi this structure Aare shownmore particularly in 8 Figs, 7, 8, and 11 ofthe drawings. Here it will be seenjthat the` opposite bedplates |0 and il carry sockets |63 andY |64 whch'receive standards |65 and |66. These standards are secured to a cross frame structure |61. Mounted on the cross frame structure |61 are sets of spreading bars |68 and |69. These are held to slide between pairs of plates |10 and |1|, and are disposed at right angles to each other. The bars cross each other, so that they inay move from a retracted position, as shown in Fig. 7, to an extended and expanded position, as shown in Fig. 8. The bar |68isrfor1ned with a gear rack |12 in mesh with a pinionA |13. The bar |69 is formed with a gear rackv|14 in mesh with a pinion |15. The-pinions are carried between the plates |19 and |1| of the supporting member |61. Each of these pinions is also in mesh with a gear rack |16 formed upon a rack bar |11. The rack bar |11 is slidable transversely of the machine and is ttedV With a pin |18 extending into a slotted opening |19 of a lever |68. The lever |8||- is securedat thev end of a shaft |8| mounted in a frame bearing |82 as shown in Fig. 1. The shaft also extends into a bearing |83 and carries a cam arm |84 upon which a cam roller |85 is mounted as shown in Fig. 12., The roller |85 engages the periphery of aV cam disc |86 which is carried upon the shaft |28. The ends of the spreadingbars |68 and |69 are od special configuration, as shown in perspective in Fig. 11 of the drawings. Here it will be seen that transversely extending spreading elements |81 are formedat the ends of the spreading bars |68 and |69. The spreading elements |81 each have a square back face |92 disposed at right angles to the sides of the bag. The outer faces |88and |89 are formed on each of the elements 81 to contact and spread the mouth of the bag. These faces are at right angles to each other, although the length of the face |89 is materially greater than the-length of the face |88. Edge faces |99 and |9| are rformed between the angular faces |88 and |89, respectively, and the back-face |92. The edge face |99 is of greater length than the edge face |9|. It will be evident thatwhen the edge faces |99 and |9| contact the opposite sides 24 and 250i the bag the point |93; representing the apex between the faces |88 and |879, will be offcenter relative to the b'ag and Ywill cause theend points to apply pressure at a point on one side of the longitudinal seam |32 of the bag blank. Thisprevents undue strain on the heat sealed seam |32, which would tend to weaken the bag and would beapplied if the point |93 registered directly with the seam.

Vacuum sealing mechanism After a groupof molds |39 have been acted uponby the spreading barsV and hgers at the bag.V spreadingstation the bagV 23 issealed. This takes place at the vacuum sealing station, indicatedat D in Fig. l. v

The vacuum sealing mechanism comprises a head ,|94 which is an inverted trough-like member extending transversely of the frame. At Vopposite ends of Vthe trough-like member are `bearingblocks |95 .formed with openings through which standards standards Vare mounted in verticalrpositions in fastening blocks |98. and |99, respectively, secured to thev bed plates |0 and Thus, by this mechanismfthehead |94 may be moved bodily ina vertical direction, andwhen moved downwardly will register with a sealing lip 208 formed |98 andl |91 extend. They along the margin of the trough-like portion |38 carrying molds |39. The marginal edges of the head |94 are provided with sealing gaskets 20|, which form a vacuum-tight seal with the member |38. Mounted above and in communication with the head |94 is a low Vacuum control valve 202 which is connected with suction pipe 203`. The pipe 203 connects with a manifold leading to a suction pump not shown in the drawings, and which pump exerts a suction to create a suitable partial vacuum. The amount of vacuum is indicated by a gauge 204 carried by the head |94. It is intended that suction action shall be progressively applied, and for that reason the pipe 203 is connected with a valve 202 whereby suction will be applied initially at a relatively low negative pressure. The valve 202 controls this structure and is operated by a lever 205 which has an arm 206 engaging a valve plunger 201 and an arm 208 which engages the surface of a cam 209. The cam is mounted upon `a cam shaft 2|0. The lever 205 is mounted upon a pivot pin 2|| carried by an arm 2|2. A suction pipe 2|3 is provided with a high vacuum valve 2|4, as shown in Fig. 16.Y This valve has a plunger 2|5 engaged by an arm 2|6 of a lever 2| 1. The opposite arm 2|8 of the lever 2| 1 engages a cam 2 I9 carried on the cam shaft 2|0. The lever 2|1 is mounted upon a pivot pin 220 carried by a supporting arm 22|. By the mechanism described a low vacuum action is first created when valve 202 is opened and a high vacuum action is subsequently created when valve 2| 3 is opened. This prevents the contents of the package from being drawn upwardly into the seam of the package as would occur under initial violent suction action, and would result in the formation of a seam which might not be vacuum-tight.

At the conclusion of the suction operation it is intended that the confined space within the mold 29 shall be opened to atmosphere, and therefore a valve 222 (Fig. 17) is provided having an air-pipe 223 connected to it. The valve 222 has a plunger 224 engaged by an arm 225 of a lever 226. Arm 221 of the lever 226 engages a cam 228 carried upon the cam shalft 2|0. This lever is mounted upon a pivot pin 229 carried by a supporting bracket 230.

A frame element 23| as shown in Fig. 1 is mounted at the end of the vacuum head |94 and pivots around the cam shaft 2|0 so that the vacuum head may have vertical movement without disturbing the relationship of the driving parts. The opposite end of the frame element 23| is pivoted upon a shaft 232 to a frame element 233 which extends downwardly and is pivoted on a transverse drive shaft 234. A sprocket 235 is mounted upon the drive shaft and carries a sprocket chain 236 which is led around a sprocket 231. The axis of the sprocket 231 is the pivot shaft 232. A second sprocket 238 is mounted upon the shaft 232 and carries a sprocket chain 239. This is led around a sprocket wheel 240 mounted upon the cam shaft 2|0. From an examination of this construction in Fig. 1 of the drawing, it will be seen that free vertical movement of the vacuum head |94 may take place without interrupting the driving action of the cam shalft 2|0 at any time.

Vacuum sealing operation By reference to Figs. 13 to 17, inc., the sealing operation will be understood. It will be seen that mounted adjacent Vto the mouth of each of the mold elements |39 is a pair of folding ngers |40 and |4|. These fingers normally extend vertically and parallel to each other at opposite sides of the filled bag 23, which bag is in the position shown in Fig. 25 of the drawing. 'I'he folding fingers are mounted on pivots |42 and |43 and may swing downwardly from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 13 to the solid line position shown in that figure.

'I'he swinging mechanism is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. It will be seen that the pivot shafts |42 and |43 carry gears 24| and 242. These gears are in mesh. The shaft |43 carries a trip lever 243 by which the gears are rotated to swing the folding fingers |40 and |4| downwardly. The trip lever is shown in Fig. 10, Where it will be seen as having fingers 244 and 245. 'I'hese fingers engage trip pins 246 and 241 which are mounted upon the reciprocating plate 216 and will act rst to swing the lever and the set of folding ngers |40 and |4| into the position shown in Fig. 13 prior to a heat sealing operation, and to thereafter swing these fingers to the dotted line position shown in that ligure as a set of molds |39 moves away from the sealing station.

The heat sealing in the present instance is performed by reciprocating heat and pressure applying members. Referring particularly to Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings, it will be seen that mounted upon the vacuum head |94 is a series of cylinders 248 supported by rbracket arms 248'. Mounted within each of these cylinders is a piston 249 which is moved downward by air pressure exerted through the air manifold 25| connected to the cylinder head 252. A crosshead 253 is carried by each of the pistons and has attached to it a pair of springs 254 which tend to draw the piston upwardly after the heat sealing operation. The piston carries a piston rod 255 which reciprocates with it and extends v through an opening 256 in the vacuum head |94. I'he lower end of the piston rod 255 is fitted with la side arm 251 upon which is mounted an electric heating element 258. This is secured by a fastening member 259. 'I'he point of the heating element extends downwardly, and as shown in Fig. 13 has a slight blade-like protrusion 260 on it which comes into actual contact with the closed mouth of a container 23 during the sealing operation.

Drive mechanism The machine is provided with a main drive- Vbearings 265 carried upon the frame plate |0.

Mounted upon the shaft |28 is a bevel gear 288 in mesh with a gear 261. The gear 261 is carried by a transverse shaft 268. This shaft at its outer end carries a sprocket 269 around which the sprocket chain passes. The shaft 268 carries cam wheel |60 upon which the roller |59 of the cam lever |58 rests and by which it ls moved. A cam 21| is also mounted on the shaft 268 and provides an operating surface for a roller 212 mounted on anarm 212 which swings on a horizontal pivot 213. The roller 212, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1 is mounted intermediate the ends ofthe arm 212', which arm is provided .at its 'upper end with a pivot ,pin 214 connecting with a .ptman rod ."215. The 'pitinan rod-215 is connectedat its forward end to asliding block 216 which carries the trip Apins 249 and 2151 "for the folding lingers. Thus, as the Ypitman rod 'reciprocates the Vlingers will move toward and away from their folding positions.

Mounted upon the frame 'is atransverse shaft 211 which provides support ior 'ca-m levers 218. These levers are disposedat opposite sides of the main frame and extend substantially horizontally and each carry a cam roller '219 which rests upon a cam 289. The cams 289. are fixed upon the shaft '234. The 'free end .of the cam levers 218 are 'pivotally 'connect'edt'o connecting rods A281 .which extend Aupwardly and 'connect to `the vacuum head |94 at .opposite ends thereof, so thatl as the levers 2'18 .oscillate the vacuum head will raise and lower. Pitman rods "282 v'are connected *to the levers 218 and "are connected with Ythe iframe structure 1610i the 4loag spreading device .and act to raise and loWer this 'structure a relatively short distance with relation to :thebag molds 139.

Mounted upon "the shaft234 is a disc2'83 which carries 1a roller 282| ior a Geneva motion. This roller engages radial slots 285 in an intermittent 'driveidiscj286 .carried upon theshaft 1.5, and upon ywhich shaft 'the sprocket wheels i"8 and i9 are mounted 'to vreceive 'the 'conveyor 'chains v2|) .and '2| This provides the intermittent drive Tor the conveyor chains 'and the other mechanism 'timed therewith. .At the opposite end 'of the shaft 23A .is a gear 281 vwhichisin mesh witha .pinion 288.

=This pinion is freely carrie'd upon the intermediate shaft "2121. A 'large'gear .289 is.a1so car- Tied on the "shaft 2'11 and isih mesh with a pinion 290 Vcarriedupon themain 'drive shaft 1281. This "train of gears `transmits 'driving motion from the main `drive"shaft .26| 't'othe camshaft "234,

"The main drive shaft '261 projects outwardly through .'the "bed plate element "Il to receive the pulley .262. .At .a point intermediate the pulley "262 andthe "bed "plate "i's'a bevel'gear 29| "which gis mesh with .a gear 292. 'The gear 292 is fcarrried 'on a 4vertical shaft 293 'mounted in a be'aring 294. 'Thislbearing *issecuredto the side o'f'the :bed plate element 'IL A bevelgear 295 is secured at the upper end of thes'hait and is in mesh with a b'evligear 129'6. This gear is -mounted upon a horizontal .shaft 191 and is w`mounted .in a 'bearing .298 carried .on la bracket 12979.` The Ybracket .ovehangs the @bearing '298 andis {tted with aepivot :pin '39B .whchzpermits Athe `shaltf291 to oscillate in alhorizontal plane. :At the `opposite `end -of -the -shatt 2 91 `from `the .-gear 296'is a bearing-30|. Thi-sfslidesiin-aihorifzontal -slot :in -a bracket $02. At the :free Vend -of the oscillating shaft 2l-1 is fa gear n393. .This igear is `.in mesh witha compound gear ra'ck -304 carriedfon afplate 395. `The plate .305zreciprocates `-vertically in 'fways 3BG. The marginal 'e'dges of the compound rack 3|l4 are deinedby parallel gear yracks -301 'and 5398 f'co'nnected Tat their lop- -posite ends by vsenficirciilar fgear racks S'US and "3|0. The Iraclr plate-395 connects -to a itting 53| l-'loy a pin 3`|`2. 'It Awill be'seenin Figs. 2 and"5 'that :the shaft 2911 "rotates-continuously as driven by'theJmainldriveshaftil and Vthatas the-gear '2303 continuously `rotates 1in one direction its teeth will consecutivelymeshwith'the rack teeth A5391, 309, 13'9'8 and SH3. The ipivo'tpin-IZ connects with the1shaft753-othe crosslheadstrucshown in Fig. 6, and V'thus the plate -305 wi-libe caused to reciprocate vertically.

Operation In theoperat-iono 4thepresent invention, power is delivered to the machine from asili-table .power source through a ydriving `belt to the :pulley i216, This will constantly drive the main drive shaft 25|, -the longitudinal cam shaft 128, and the transverselr extending foam fshait 268, as well as Vthe intermittent driving shaft 231|.. The main drive shaft 261 imparts rotation to the tintermittent driving shaft 1234 through fthe .train of gears 281, 288, V239 land 289. This cause the disc 283 to rotate withits roller .284 and .to iconsecutively engage the rslots285 inthe intermittent driven disc 285, with-'the result that the :shaft i5 Will be intermittently driven. .shaft :15 is driven fit will impart intermittent rotation to the sprockets I3 Iand 'i9 'and .will cause the sprocket chains 2| and 22 :to be driven. As previously stated, 'these chains `.ane :led #around sprockets I6 and "L1 onlspr'ocket :shaft |14 attheopposite -endfoi the frame-of them'achine. Thersprocket -fchains "carry the transversely extending -mold units H38, veachfof which isttedvvltha pllnality Aof molds |39. The v'mold iunits their molds :'are consecutively .presented .to vthe :bag opening and forming Astation..A, the llzing staton B, the spreading fstation, and the fvacumn 'sealing :fstaition D. DurTinglthis `operation rthe .sprocket chai-n travels in the direction vindicated iby the :arrow fa in Eig. 'l of the drawing. :The :timing of the Geneva inotion, which inchrdes the :roller A2M -andthe disc 286,zcauses theimold to morne to-rest in vertical Valignment arrdzdinectly-beneath rthe path 'of travel fof ithe ba'g ispneading fand carryingrnembers 119, as Shoxvnin:-Fig.`21 of the drawing. .As vhas fbeen previouslylstated, the bag ."spreaders 4:9 are carried iupon sa. crosshead 4B., .fshovvn zin Fig. ii of Vthe zdrawing. This across -head `is fslidabl-y mounted Luponparallel verticalzstandiai-'ds 46 .and lzafndzis heheiniits uppcrmostiposilftionifby chains 56 zandvl., rwhichiare led .around vtlIe A'sprocket Wheels i8 and 1&9 upon theftenoion :shaft .69. iThe crossehead heldin its uppermost position by the recoil :action cof ithe springs 65 and 66.

` Asthe mainicross-.shatml :isidrivenithe shaft 22:91 will be 4.continuously driven through ;thetra.in :ofigearslshown lparticularly :iniEtgf auf' the fdrawing, Vand which :are i interposed rhetweenithe .shaft .2&1 fand-.the shaft 329.1. .in i2 nfiihe drawing the shaft :291 and its driven gear .S93-is :continu- -ously rotated fand :produces alternate .reciproca- 'tion Yof the :rack plate 305, draw the :spreading unit cross-:head downwardly 'from the iposition :shown in :Figs 11, f6 :and ;21 to the position fshown zinrig. .22. While the spreading :unit cross-:head 4B Lis iin "its uppermost :position lthe .cam .106, fasfshown ini-Figs, d :and 21, 4will be rotated so that '.theisprings iiiizretract thev arm 91 1and-:draw the .vacuumasuction cups |112, 4hold- .ing sidef24 :of the "foremostipaokage b'lank L29 to treceive the spreading `-unit #9, However, as the ishait |308 of the cam |96 is `driventhroug'hfthe :chain j| fromthe crossI shaft :268, the arms 591 'will loe swungfin the-direction-ofthe arrowibin Figs. 1 and Z1tobring thefsuctioncups |02Tinto lphysical engagement Withthe .face of the portion 24 of the package lolank`23. As this takes `place, suction will he exerted upon 'theouterleaf -or fold of the blankso-"that thefouterifoldwillibe drawn outwardly, as -shown in Fig. v-29 of "the Jthawing,"and theinner fold"2S'Williiang'alongits upper edge in the rear'of the retaining lip ||6. While the bag blank is in this position the members I8 will tend to keep the mouth of the packages 23 open so that the spreading units 49 may move downwardly and enter the mouths of the set of bags which have been drawn from the bins of the magazine 21 and will pull the bags loose from the forward lip ||6 and carry the bags downwardly into the mold units |38 and into the molds |39.

As previously stated, the spreading units 49 are formed with a plurality of Walls articulately connected, as shown in Fig. 27 of the drawing. As these units move downwardly the bags will move between the guide and forming plates |30 so that the sides 8| and 82 will be forced inwardly and the sides 19 and 80 will be forced outwardly to give the proper rectangular cross-sectional shape to the bag. As the bag continues to move downwardly, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing, it will pass between the pressing rollers |33, which yieldably bear against the opposite edge walls and forcibly fold the seams |32 against the side 0f the wallas shown in Fig. 24` of the drawing. As the forming units 48l continue to move downwardly the bottom walls will be moved upwardly to a yposition of alignment so that the forming units will be expanded and the bag will be expanded and formed, as indicated in Fig. 24 of the drawing. As the drive mechanism associated with shaft 291 continues to function, the bag forming units willbe retracted and collapsed and v the cross-head will move to its uppermost position, due to the driving' action of the plate 305 and the recoil action of the springs 65. The cycle of operation of the bag opening and positioning means will thus be completed.

When the `package has been formed and placed in the mold |39 in the shape shown in Fig. 24 of the drawing, it will stand with the open mouth in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 13. In this condition the set of unfilled containers are moved from the station A- to the station B as the conveyor chains 20 and 2| are driven intermittently. At station B the spouts |41 will be in alignment with the mouth of the containers 23 as shown in Figs- 1, 2, 18 and 19. When in this position the'lever |5| will be oscillated so that it will swing in the direction of the arrow c, as shown in Fig. 2, and will move the spouts |41 downwardly. The lever is operated through a connecting rod |55 which is secured to the lever end I 56 and is operated by the cam |60 carried on the shaft 268. As the cam operates the spout will be lowered into the mouth of the bag 23 and material will fill into the bag. It has been found that in order to firmly pack the bag the lower end of each spout is made with the projecting portions |6| and |62 and the cutaway sides, thus allowing uniform distribution of the material as it flows from the end of the spout and into the bag.

After a set of bags 23 has been filled at the lling station B the intermittent conveyor drive will carry the filled bags to the spreading station C. At the spreading station C the row of molds |39 will be disposed beneath the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 8. While in this position the spreading bars 68 and |69 will move from their vretracted positions, as shown in Fig. '1, to their extended positions as shown in Fig. 8. This is accomplished due to the fact that each of the y bars is fitted with a gear rack in mesh with gear pinions |13 and |15, which pinions in turn mesh 'with the transverse rack bar |11. The rack bar 14 |11 moves horizontally as actuated by the swinging movement of the lever to which the free end of the rack bar is connected. The lever |80 is mounted upon the shaft |8| and is operated by the cam |86 carried upon the longitudinally extending drive shaft |28, and which cam swings the lever |84. When the spreading bars |68 and |69 are moved to the position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing the ends of the-bars, indicated in detail ink Fig. 11, will swing outwardly, as shown in Fig. 30, so that the' mouth of the container will be spread and substantially creased to facilitate in the final folding and sealing operation. A reverse swinging action of the lever |80 will then move the spreading bars |68 and |69 to their retracted positions, after which the next movement of the conveyor chains will position the mold unit beneath the vacuum head |94. When the trough-like portion of the mold unit |38 is in alignment with the vacuum head the vacuum head is lowered into position by action of levers 218 which are operated by the cam 280 over which the cam roller 219 rides. As the Vacuum head |94 is lowered into position it will make a tight seal with the mold unit |38 so that suction can be applied. Prior to this action, however, the bell crank formed by lever arms 244 and 245 engaged a pin 246 so that the gears 24| and 242 would be rotated and the folding blades |40 and |4| would be folded down to the position shown in Fig. 15 of the drawing. This will temporarily hold the folded end of the bag so that the abutting faces of the portions 24 and 2'5 will be held against each other and folded over directly above the material with which the bag 23 is filled. In this condition the cam shaft ||8 rotates to operate the cams thereon and to cause the valve 202 to open for a predetermined period as a low negative pressure is exerted upon the packages in the molds to evacuate the air from the packages and from around the material therein without disturbing the material so that it would be drawn between the opposed faces forming the seal. As the cam shaft continues to rotate the valve 202 will close and the valve 2|4 will open. 'I'his valve establishes connection with suction means, whereby :a high suction pressure is exerted to complete the vacuum action and to render the package under a high partial vacuum. A control valve 3|3 is then actuated to admit air and to force the heating element 259 downwardly from within the vacuum head |94 to contact the overlapping mouth of the bag and to forcibly press the edge 260 of the heating element against the overlapping portion of the bag, so that it will be held i'lrmly against the member |44 of the folding blade |4|. This will cause the inner surfaces of the walls of the bag 23 to be heat sealed under a condition of high partial vacuum. When the valve 3|3 is next manipulated the heating element will be retracted from the position shown in Fig. 14 to the position shown in Fig. 13. The operation of the cam shaft 2|0 will close the valve 2|4 after the sealing operation has been completed, and then the valve 222' will open to permit atmosphere to enter the vacuum head |94 and pass around the packages 23 in the molds |39. When this takes place the packages will be shaped to agree in configuration with that of the molds |39 in the manner set forth and claimed in my Patent No. 2,241,943, issued May 13, 1941. As the operating cam 288 moves, the vacuum sealing head |94 will be lifted so that the set of molds |39 may be advanced to a discharge 115 point of `,the machinasuchior,exampleas at VX ,in- Fig. 1 fof the adrawing.

:It may beioundnecessary in connection with certain types :of food Aproducts to subject the lled package toa prolonged vvacuumizing period :undereither low suction or `high suction action, Vin which eventit will ibe possibleto subject a plurality-of 'molds to low suction action atone station land apluralityvoimolds'to high suction -.action at 'the .nal-seaming station. Thus, the inal seeming operation may be taking place while the initial suction action is being applied Oto the Vunsealed packages.

It-will -thus .be seen from the foregoing dis- :closure :that means Vare provided vwhereby col- `.lapsed-paper .bags with non-reentrant `folds `may :be maintained in 'hoppers and ied to the machine, ewheretheyrare opened, shaped, lled and heat zsealediby a simple continuousand automatic operation.

While I have shown 'the preferred form of my invention as now-knownto me, it will be under- :stood'that various'changesmay bernade in combination, construction and arrangement of parts by those `skilled in the art, without departing afromthe spirit ofrmyzinvention as claimed.

`Having `thus described my .-invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: 1, In a machine 4of the character described, 1a magazine -for receiving bags having non-re- "entrant folds, and `Which bags are arranged in lthe magazine in vertical alignment with their dipen end uppermost, `means feeding said bags Itoward one end of fthemagazine, means tem- ;porarily 'retainingthe bags-in the end of the magazine toward .whichfthey are fed, means engaging `the foremost bag in thefmagazine and drawing it `outwardly therefrom, Vexpanding means moving downwardly andrentering the mouth of the bag `and withdrawing said bag from the front of :the magazine, saidexpanding means being oa- ;pable of lexpanding :within the bag to give the y,bagaelesired shape, means folding the side seams against the hagas it moves downwardly, and a -mold into whichsthe expanded-and shaped bag is placed bythe expanding means.

i2. In a machine of the class described for act- .-ing upon bags .having non-:reentrant folds, a `magazine within which a `stack-of bagsis placed substantiallyhorizontally andtoward one end of which said stackof bags Yis fed with the mouths :ofpthe'bags kpresented upwardly, means engaging the foremost bag in the stackand drawing it ifrom the magazine, vmechanical means entering thezmouth ofthe bag thus drawn to spread the Fsame temporarily, Vvertical .guide members dis- ;posed at opposite sides of thebag thus positioned, :bag forming elements mounted Afor vertical re- -ciprocation vupon said guides and moving in a path of travel across the discharge end of the .magazine a mold removably positioned at the lower end` of rthe path of travel ofsai'd bag forming element .andadapted toreceivethe bag forming element and a bag which has been entered 'thereby and is carried downwardly into the mold, 'means disposed alo'ngthe path of travel of the Ibag forming element to fold the non-reentrant side seams ofthe bag against the body thereof, and synchronous means acting to reciprocate the Ibag forming-element, the bag engaging means, 'andthe mechanical spreader.

3. In a machine for acting upon flexible bags :made with non-reentrant side seams and with foneside wall longer than the other, a magazine mithin which -a lquantity of said bags may be 51,6 placed in vertical-,aligmnent and Vfed.towardpne end thereof, saidbags .beingrarranged `withtheir long side wall rearmost Vand .their opened ends uppermost, .means xat .the discharge .end of .said magazine .-for. engaging.,thamargin-,formed by the longest .side of the .bags ,and ,for ,engaging the `lower-ledge of `the bag, fsuctionmeans .engaging `the front wallof the:folded-bagandhrawingrthe same outwardly, l.whereby Zthe mouth lof .the bag will be opened, mechanical spreading means act- .ing toenter .the-.opened mouth .of .the bag, gver- .ticalguides disposed Yatopposite. sides -of the bag vthus acted upon, abag formingelement mounted to reciprocate ,vertically .as supported between Vsaid guides, said .element :being .characterized `as having -a collapsible .shell `adapted to expand to the conlgurationof -a bag to be.shaped,.a mold Atemporarily. disposedatxthe .lowenend of,the,.pat h of travel of said forming means vand .into .which the `forming means may :move vwhile -carri/inge,

.bag thereon, meansdisposed attheoppositesides -of the path oftravel .of vsaid .forming fmeans, whereby the nonfreentrant,sideseamsofthebag will be folded, l.and .synchronous .driving .means for the -bag ,forming .'meaiis, .the bag engaging .member, and the spreadingmeans.

-4. .In ,a machine for Jhandling ,normally flat bags Ywith non-reentrant side folds, :a magazine within which :a vquantity of .1 said .bags are .placed with their opened vends uppermost and .from ,one

.side of which said .bags .are .fed v'as :they ,move horizontally, Imeans .engaging lthe .foremost bag in the .magazine `to .temporarily ,-.retain lthe `bag in position, suction means Aacting against .the outer surface ofone siderofthe'bagftodrawssaid ,side of the .bag outwardlmmovable means carrying the suction means, spreadingngersmounted at oppositesides-of .themagaz'inehndedapted to enter v.thepartially npened mouthroflthebag, bag expanding means vadapted ,to .rec ipr,ocate .vertically-in the central .plane of .the .openedbagsaid expanding ,means comprising. aplurality of .plates articulately .connected i and .provided with .means to movesaid platesfroma .collapsed .condition to an expanded one, means engaging saidmovable `means for ,moving said ,plates .to collapsed Aand `expanded positions, and synchronous .driving means acting Vto move .thersuc'tion membersinto and out o'f `engagement with `a'bag,'toswing the spreading members into the mouth of the bag thus engaged, .to-move the bag spreading members-,downwardly .intolthe `mouth of :the xbag vl to withdraw it from the lmagazine, fand :to extend and retract the: spreading members gto: shape `.the bag.

SAMUEL -13E-HCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following .references are .of Arecordin the .le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS .Name Date 21,886,552 Joplin. Nov.-8, 1932 `1,909,319 Taylor May 16, 1933 :1,914,369 vHohl J une ;20, *1933 2,114,624 Bergstein Apr. 19, 1938 2,168,241 Robinson Aug` 1, 19:39 1,887,751 Colver ,Nov. l15, 1932 2,235,394 Berch Mar.f18, -1941 2,288,603 Y .;Berch July '1,1942 2,106,463 v@hong Jan..-25, ,1938

503,810 1 @Stanley Aug..22,l893 1,941,195; j ilrmierson ,-Dec. i526, .19.33 

